December 15, 2013
Mount Batulao
Mt. Batulao is considered as a minor climb by mountaineers, its name came from "Batong Ilaw" because of the 2 major summits of the mountain that enclose the sun during sunset creating a beautiful phenomenon. Mt. Batulao is a popular day hike adventure for climbers coming from Metro Manila as it's just 1 1/2 hours away by bus. The mountain is just a short travel from Tagaytay so most of the time the weather at Batulao is cool but during our climb the heat of the sun was dead hot. As of the date of this writing, the New Trail and Old Trail of Mt. Batulao are open for climbers. We decided to use the Old Trail on our ascend to the summit and do a traverse via the New Trail, our decision was based on our visual assessment of the New Trail which can be seen from the fork, the New Trail obviously was shorter and looks a lot easier. We want to conquer Mt. Batulao the hard way. Haha
The landscapes were remarkable, especially the rocky part of the New Trail. It looks dangerous to traverse but the trail is actually beside the rock's edges and unless you're scared to fall and roll up to the bottom, you'll enjoy the scenery. Both the Old and New Trails are pretty much straightforward, you will not get lost. Along the way going to the jump-off point many children (around age 8 - 10) will offer to guide you to the summit, we politely turned down their offer as we knew we could find the way without guides and we're on a tight budget (this was a wise decision).
Our group met many along climbers the way, Mt. Batulao is really popular both for a day hike climb and an overnight. I'm glad nowadays climbers are more responsible and they don't leave their garbage along the trail. There are 2 campsites one on the Old Trail and another on the New, the New Trail is more accessible so the locals were able to build small stores. You can buy various products at the stores from soaps to instant noodles to alcoholic drinks. With these I can conclude that Mt. Batulao is not for climbers who want the peace and quiet ambience of mountains as this characteristic has sadly left Batulao.
08:00 We left DLTB Terminal on board a bus bound for Nasugbu, Batangas.
10:30 Alight at Evercrest, from here we rode a tricycle going to jump off point.
10:50 Arrival at Jump-Off point and a few stretching and warm ups, then we had a long walk on a muddy road going to Mount Batulao.
11:20 We had our first glimpse of Mount Batulao, its jagged looks really excited us.
11:40 Arrival at the fork, straightforward was the grassy path of the New Trail. On the left was the descending path of the New Trail that leads to the woodlands.
The signboard at the fork that leads to either the New or Old Trail
12:10 We arrived at a "Buko Station", the 1st resting area of the Old Trail, Mount Batulao really was commercialized by locals. The Old Trail was a variety of grass, forests and dry soil, and mud. I enjoyed the diversity of the Old Trail unlike the consistent grassland theme of the New Trail, if you plan on going to Mount Batulao I highly recommend you to use the Old Trail.
At The Buko Station
The more difficult Old Trail
12:40 We finally reached the campsite of the Old Trail, there were many climbers resting at the site when we arrived. There was a water source near the camp site, the water is potable but you may still bring betadine and puritabs if you still have some doubts. We paid the registration fee, took some rest and went on. The trail going to the summit gradually ascended to higher campsites and became rocky.
Old Trail Campsite
A Phoenix shaped cloud formation
Camp 8, the last campsite before assaulting the summit
13:40 We reached the final resting area before assaulting the summit. There was a store at this spot that sells halo-halo for 30.00 php and Mountain Dew for 25.00 php.
Final resting spot before the summit
Balayan Bay from our resting area, this gap is where the sun forms the Batong Ilaw phenomenon
14:10 The last hurdle to the summit was my favorite, the 78.50 degree rock climbing. A rope was attached to assist climbers of this steep part but we tried to climb it without the rope as additional challenge. Luckily the soil was not slippery and the rocks were steady so it was quite easy climbing without the rope.
The 78.50 degree rock climbing segment
Justin climbing without the rope
14:20 Summit of Mt. Batulao, with a 360 degree view of the surroundings. To raise the commercialization of Mt. Batulao to another level, there was still a vendor at the summit that sells Mountain Dew. It took my by surprise, it just shows many climber were buying semi cold drinks for the locals to bring those bottles all the way up to the summit. We ate our lunch at the summit, took some photos before descending using the New Trail.
Mt. Batulao Summit
The compulsory Edge of Glory Pose
Formal attire at the peak
The gang at the summit
15:10 The descent on the rocky part of the New Trail, this was the only challenge of the trail. The New Trail showcases many minor peaks for climbers to climb but I think the most rewarding view was at the actual summit itself. After the rocky trail comes the trail near the edge of the grassland slopes. Be careful traversing the grassland slopes as one misstep will take you rolling all the way down to the bottom. There were no trees to hold on to at the grassy trail so be careful. There was an isolated case of a 1st time climber that fell to her death at Peak 8. New or veteran climbers alike should be careful and respect the mountains, be always vigilant and take precautions during climbs, safety first before photo ops.
The scenic portion of Mt. Batulao, this is the New Trail
Traversing the rocky edge of the New Trail
The grassy part of the New Trail
Winds were strong during our traverse at the grassland slopes
15:55 We finally reached the campsite of the New Trail, there are stores in here for you to buy various products, however I was not able to ask if there was a water source nearby. We paid another 20.00 php as registration (30.00 php if overnight)
New Trail Campsite
16:30 Arrival at the fork. We took our well deserved rest and sipped a buko juice.
At the Fork Buko Station
17:00 The long walk back to the tricycles area.
17:20 At Evercrest, we waited for the bus going back to Buendia.
19:30 Touchdown Manila.
